There has been a significant shift since the Part L changes were initially proposed back in 2019 . Although it ’ s only been three years , the world has gone through a lot , including a pandemic . The new Part L regulations which came into effect last summer mean that all new homes built from now on must produce 31 percent less carbon emissions . As part of this , there are new standards for U-Values that are designed to improve thermal efficiency and reduce energy usage throughout a property .

Initially , the announcement sent many in the fenestration industry into panic mode . There was a lot of noise about how manufacturers would adapt their product lines to reach these new targets , and more importantly for their businesses , if they could reach these new targets ahead of the deadline .

Prior to the rules changing , U-Values had to meet a target of 1.4 W / m ² K for windows and glazed doors in new homes , and 1.0 W / m2K for panelled doors . Under the Part L 2022 changes ,

these notional targets have been reduced to 1.2 W / m ² K for windows and glazed doors , which is a considerable drop .

For most manufacturers , the focus was placed on improving the performance of existing products as this is an easier approach than designing entirely new product lines .

A shortcut some took to achieve the lower U-Values standards was to only offer triple-glazed units . However , this isn ’ t the most practical solution in the long run because triple glazing not only makes the product more expensive for homeowners , but also significantly heavier , potentially making them more difficult to transport and install . At Origin , our dedicated inhouse R & D department focussed on finding a solution that benefits both installers and homeowners , without changing the famous look and functionality of the products , and all while keeping costs to a minimum . To do this , we focused on modifying our products from the inside . For our

bi-fold and residential doors , this meant improving the efficiency of our thermal breaks and insulating critical chambers which were not as thermally efficient .

Plus , we managed to achieve all this without passing on a large price increase to our Partners , despite the rapid inflation in the price of raw materials during the project .

In many cases , our products already met the new standards . In fact , our OW-80 Premium Window can achieve an ultra-low U-value of 0.8 W /( m2K ) by including the industry-leading Aerogel inside the thermal break , but that doesn ’ t mean we are going to rest on our laurels .

The Part L changes are the first step towards the Future Homes Standard which comes into effect in 2025 when new homes will have to be carbon neutral . As this change approaches , Origin ’ s R & D is continuing to innovate our product line-up to ensure we use the best manufacturing processes and materials available to meet and exceed the standards to ensure we deliver the best for our Partners .

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